Former NFL Star Aaron Hernandez Kills Himself in Prison

Aaron Hernandez, the onetime star tight end for the New England Patriots, hanged himself in his prison cell, according to the Massachusetts Department of Correction. Hernandez was rushed to the hospital after being found around 3 a.m. ET and was pronounced dead an hour later.

Although authorities have not officially called it a suicide, the Dept. of Correction did release a statement saying, "Mr. Hernandez was in a single cell in a general population unit.... Mr. Hernandez hanged himself utilizing a bed sheet that he attached to his cell window. Mr. Hernandez also attempted to block his door from the inside by jamming the door with various items.”

Hernandez had been serving a life sentence after being convicted in 2015 for the murder of Odin Lloyd. He was also acquitted of a separate double murder in Boston just five days ago.

Officials at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Massachusetts, are investigating whether Hernandez left a note of any kind. He was not on suicide watch, which is why he was alone in his cell. Dept. of Corrections spokesman Christopher Fallon told reporters, "If he had made any kind of statement, he would have not been in that unit."

News of Hernandez's death comes on the same day that the Patriots are set to visit to the White House after their recent Super Bowl win. "We are aware of the reports, but I don't anticipate that we will be commenting today," a Patriots spokesman told ESPN.